Adjustable worksurface with integrated display

ABSTRACT

A workstation includes a base having at least one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality of vertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. The display defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurface member. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base about a fixed rotational axis and is pivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantially vertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality of vertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in any one of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations. A method of using the workstation is also provided.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/586,365, filed Jan. 13, 2012, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable worksurface,and in particular, to an adjustable worksurface having an integrateddisplay.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide workstations, for example tables, that arepivotable between horizontal and draft positions. Typically, such tablesdo not allow for further movement to a vertical orientation. It also isknow to provide tables with integrated displays fixed in a horizontalconfiguration. However, the displays integrated into such tablestypically are too heavy and bulky to allow for alternativeconfigurations, whether pivotally or vertically adjustable. Accordingly,the need remains for an improved workstation that provides improvedreconfigurability while incorporating a display.

SUMMARY

The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing inthis section should be considered to be a limitation on those claims.

In one aspect, one embodiment of a workstation includes a base having atleast one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality ofvertical leg positions and a worksurface member including a display. Thedisplay defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurfacemember. The worksurface member is pivotally coupled to the base and ispivotable between at least a horizontal orientation wherein theworksurface of the display is substantially horizontal, at least onedraft orientation wherein the worksurface of the display forms an acuteangle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and a verticalorientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantiallyvertical. The worksurface member is vertically adjustable to a pluralityof vertical worksurface positions corresponding to the plurality ofvertical leg positions when the worksurface member is positioned in anyone of the horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.

In another aspect, a method of using a workstation includes adjusting avertical height of a worksurface member including a display, wherein thedisplay defines at least in part a worksurface of the worksurfacemember, pivoting the worksurface member between at least a horizontalorientation wherein the worksurface of the display is substantiallyhorizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein the worksurface ofthe display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and verticalplanes and a vertical orientation wherein the worksurface of the displayis substantially vertical, and viewing the display in any one of thehorizontal, draft or vertical orientations.

The various embodiments of the workstation, and methods of use thereof,provide significant advantages over other such structures and methods.For example and without limitation, the workstation may be easilyreconfigured between various position, such as a horizontalconfiguration wherein the worksurface member may be used in aconventional fashion, for example to support various materials such aspapers, books and the like, while also allowing for a user interfacewith the display. At the same time, the worksurface member may bepivoted to other configurations suitable for particular uses, such asproviding a display to a larger audience while still providing a userinterface via the display screen. The worksurface member may also bevertically adjusted, whether to accommodate different height users whenin the horizontal or draft configurations, or to provide an elevatedconfiguration to allow for greater visibility when in the verticalconfiguration. Auxiliary fixed worksurfaces provide for storage andadditional workspace, while grippable handles facilitate manipulation ofthe primary worksurface member.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The various preferred embodiments, together with furtheradvantages, will be best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a workstation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of workstations, including a rearview of one workstation in a vertical configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of workstations, including afront view of one workstation in a vertical configuration.

FIGS. 4A-C are side view of the workstation in horizontal, draft andvertical configurations respectively.

FIG. 5 is a partial, bottom perspective vie of the coupling between aworksurface member and a base.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the coupling shown in FIG. 5 taken along line6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that the term “plurality,” as used herein, meanstwo or more. The term “longitudinal,” as used herein means of orrelating to length or the lengthwise direction, e.g., a length of aprimary worksurface 2. The term “lateral,” as used herein, meansdirected between or toward (or perpendicular to) the sides 24 of theprimary worksurface 2. The term “coupled” means connected to or engagedwith, whether directly or indirectly, for example with an interveningmember, and does not require the engagement to be fixed or permanent,although it may be fixed or permanent. The term “transverse” meansextending across an axis or surface, including but not limited tosubstantially perpendicular to the axis or surface. It should beunderstood that the use of numerical terms “first,” “second,” “third,”etc., as used herein does not refer to any particular sequence or orderof components (e.g., consecutive); for example “first” and “second”worksurface members may refer to any sequence of such worksurfacemembers, and is not limited to the first and second worksurface membersof a particular configuration, e.g., primary and auxiliary, unlessotherwise specified.

Referring to FIGS. 1, a workstation 30 includes a base 6, the primaryworksurface member 2 and a pair of auxiliary worksurface members 4positioned along opposite sides 24 of the primary worksurface member 2.The base 6 includes a longitudinally extending and horizontally orientedbeam 18 supported at opposite ends by a pair of vertically adjustablelegs 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the beam 18 may be configured as aC-channel, with brackets 96 disposed therein to accomodate the legs 8.Each leg may include a foot 14, whether forming an upside down T shapedstructure as shown, or alternatively an L shaped structure. The foot 14may include one ore more adjustable glides 16 positioned at each endthereof, whether at opposite toes or at a heel/toe position. The leg 8includes a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 10 received in thelower portion, although it should be understood that the oppositearrangement may be used. The upper portion 10 is vertically adjustablerelative to the lower portion 12 between a plurality of verticalpositions. The upper and lower portions 10, 12 may be coupled by way ofvarious adjustment mechanisms, including without limitation, screwdevices, gas/hydraulic cylinders, cable/pulley systems, and the like.The beam 18 is coupled to an upper end 32 of the upper leg portion 10.

The auxiliary worksurface members 4 are secured to the beam 18, and movetherewith to a plurality of vertical positions, via brackets 36,configured in one embodiment as a U-shaped strap that forms an angle θrelative to the beam 18. In one embodiment, the auxiliary worksurfacemembers 14 are horizontally fixed, meaning they are not rotatable abouta horizontal axis. In one embodiment, the worksurface of the auxiliaryworksurface members are maintained in a substantially horizontal plane.The worksurface of the auxiliary worksurface member may be substantiallyparallel to, and in one embodiment substantially co-planar with, theworksurface of the primary worksurface member when the primaryworksurface member is in a horizontal configuration as shown in FIG. 4A.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, a support structure 40 is pivotallyconnected to the beam with a coupling 80. The support structure isconfigured in one embodiment as a pair of straps, having opposite endportions 44 angled upwardly and outwardly from a base portion 42. In oneembodiment, a pair of spaced apart lugs 82 extend downwardly from eachstrap base 42. A receptacle 94 includes at least three walls 86 forminga pair of slots or gaps 84 shaped to receive the lugs 82, together withwashers 88 positioned between the lugs and walls. The receptacle isreceived in a channel 76 formed by the beam and secured to a top wall 78thereof. A pin 90 or fastener extends through aligned openings in thelugs 82 and walls 86. The pin may be put in tension so as to create apredetermined friction force between the lugs, walls and washers, suchthat the worksurface member may be held by friction in any number ofdifferent positions, and in embodiment having infinite rotational/pivotpositions. A stop 92 may abut side edges of the lugs 82 when theworksurface member is in a horizontal position, while the lugs 82 mayabut the top wall 78 of the beam or the receptacle bracket 94 when theworksurface member is in vertical configuration. A slot 98 is formed ina side wall 74 of the beam 18 to allow the lugs 82 to rotate through theslot 98 between the horizontal and vertical positions.

A pair of grippable handles 46, shown in one embodiment as rods orcylindrical tubes, are secured, one each, to the spaced part endportions 44 of the straps. The primary worksurface member 2 is securedto the base portion 42 of the straps, for example with mechanicalfasteners, and has front and back edges 48 extending proximate thegrippable handles 46, but spaced apart sufficiently therefrom to permita user to insert their hands and grip the handle 46. In one embodiment,the primary worksurface member 2 includes a display 20, preferably atouch screen 52, which allows the user to interface with and controlgraphics displayed on the display 20. The display 20 defines at least inpart a worksurface 50, which is capable of supporting loads up to 250lbs. when in a horizontal configuration. The display 20 may besurrounded by a peripheral housing 22, which provides for an additionalworksurface area. In one embodiment, the display worksurface 50 is atleast 75% of the total worksurface area of the worksurface member 2,which may also include the surface area of the housing 22.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4A-C, the primary worksurface member 2 maybe pivoted to a plurality of configurations, including a horizontalconfiguration, one or more draft configurations, wherein the displayworksurface 50 forms an acute angle α relative to a vertical axis 56 andan acute angle β relative to a horizontal axis 58, and a verticalconfiguration. At the same time, the beam 18 and worksurface members 2,4 may be vertically adjusted to any one of a plurality of verticalworksurface positions when the worksurface member is in any one of thehorizontal, draft or vertical configuration via the adjustable legs. Inoperation, the primary and auxiliary worksurface members may be used ina conventional desk manner when the primary worksurface member is in thehorizontal configuration, for example by supporting papers, books, filesand the like. The surface is sufficiently robust to withstand writingthereupon. At the same time, the user may interface with the display inthe horizontal configuration, for example by manipulating graphicsthereon via the touch screen. The worksurface members 2, 4 may bevertically adjusted to accommodate the user in a sit or stand mode, orto accommodate users of different heights in either mode. The primaryworksurface 2 may also be used in the draft configuration as shown inFIG. 4B, with the user sitting or standing adjacent thereto. The primaryworksurface may also be used in the vertical configuration as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4C, for example to make a presentation or provide adisplay to a larger audience, or minimize the footprint when not in use,for example when being stored. Again, the worksurface may be verticallyadjusted to a desired height to maximize visibility to the audience,whether a single user or multiple users.

The display may be powered by conventional means such as electricalcords (not shown), or by batteries or other localized power sourcescoupled to the workstation.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoingdetailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limitingand that it is the appended claims, including all equivalents thereof,which are intended to define the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A workstation comprising: a base comprising atleast one vertically adjustable leg adjustable to a plurality ofvertical leg positions; a worksurface member comprising a display,wherein said display defines at least in part a worksurface of saidworksurface member, and wherein said worksurface member is pivotallycoupled to said base, wherein said worksurface member is pivotable abouta fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontal orientationwherein said worksurface of said display is substantially horizontal, atleast one draft orientation wherein said worksurface of said displayforms an acute angle relative to horizontal and vertical planes and avertical orientation wherein said worksurface of said display issubstantially vertical, and wherein said worksurface member isvertically adjustable to a plurality of vertical worksurface positionscorresponding to said plurality of said vertical leg positions when saidworksurface member is positioned in any one of said horizontal, draft orvertical configurations.
 2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein saiddisplay comprises a touch screen.
 3. The workstation of claim 1 whereinsaid display supports at least a load of 250 lbs when said worksurfacemember is in said horizontal configuration.
 4. The workstation of claim1 wherein said worksurface member comprises a first worksurface memberand said worksurface comprises a first worksurface, and furthercomprising at least one second worksurface member defining a secondworksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupled to saidbase, wherein said second worksurface is maintained in a horizontalconfiguration when said first worksurface member is positioned in anyone said horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
 5. Theworkstation of claim 4 wherein said at least one second worksufacemember comprises a pair of second worksurface members disposed onopposite sides of said first worksurface member.
 6. The workstation ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one grippable handle coupled to saidworksurface member.
 7. The workstation of claim 6 comprising at least apair of grippable handles coupled along opposite edges of saidworksurface member.
 8. The workstation of claim 1 wherein said displaydefines at least 75% of said worksurface.
 9. A method of using aworkstation comprising: adjusting a vertical height of a worksurfacemember comprising a display, wherein said display defines at least inpart a worksurface of said worksurface member; pivoting said worksurfacemember about a fixed rotational axis between at least a horizontalorientation wherein said worksurface of said display is substantiallyhorizontal, at least one draft orientation wherein said worksurface ofsaid display forms an acute angle relative to horizontal and verticalplanes and a vertical orientation wherein said worksurface of saiddisplay is substantially vertical; and viewing said display in any oneof said horizontal, draft or vertical orientations.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising interfacing with said display, wherein saiddisplay comprises a touch screen.
 11. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising supporting a load of at least 250 lbs on said display whensaid worksurface member is in said horizontal configuration.
 12. Themethod of claim 9 wherein said worksurface member comprises a firstworksurface member and said worksurface comprises a first worksurface,and further comprising at least one second worksurface member defining asecond worksurface disposed adjacent said first worksurface and coupledto said base, and maintaining said second worksurface in a horizontalconfiguration when pivoting said first worksurface member to any onesaid horizontal, draft or vertical configurations.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said at least one second worksurface member comprises apair of second worksurface members disposed on opposite sides of saidfirst worksurface member.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein saidpivoting said worksurface member comprises gripping at least onegrippable handle coupled to said worksurface member.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein said gripping said at least one grippable handlecomprises gripping one of a pair of grippable handles coupled alongopposite edges of said worksurface member.
 16. The method of claim 9wherein said display defines at least 75% of said worksurface.